Netherlands Student visa Processing Time: Steps, Cost, and Success Rate

Are you applying for a Netherlands student visa? Then, you should be aware of the Netherlands student visa processing time for 2025. Processing time refers to the time taken for the consulate to decide on your application after the visa formalities are completed. Therefore, learning about the processing time helps you understand how long you should wait before inquiring about your visa application. In this blog, we have covered everything you need to know about the Netherlands student visa processing time, factors affecting the processing time, the amount required, the cost of visa processing, and the requirements you must meet to get your visa approved.

What is the Netherlands Student Visa Processing Time?

To understand the Netherlands student visa processing time 2025, you need to know about the Netherlands student visa application process. Compared to other countries, the Netherlands has a distinct visa application process. This means that you do not have to apply for a visa. Your university will sponsor you. Moreover, a residence permit is essential before travel..The application process is as follows:

1. Get a student residence permit for university or higher professional education: Only the university you want to study at can apply for a residence permit for you. Meet the requirements set for sponsorship. This will grant you the right to stay in the country for more than 90 days. 
2. Apply for a Long-stay visa (MVV): Your university will apply for an MVV visa sticker for the Netherlands in India. The MVV is also called a provisional residence permit. You need an MVV for studies as an international student.

First, the university in Nerthalands will ensure that you have met its requirements. Thereafter, it applies for your MVV and student residence permit at the same time. A residence permit will grant you the right to stay in the Netherlands, and an MVV will grant you the right to travel to the Netherlands.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Netherlands Student Visa?

Once your application for a residence permit for the Netherlands has been approved, a letter from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) is issued. After this letter of approval is issued, the MVV visa sticker application process starts. Your sponsor (university) will take the application forward. Below, we have divided the Netherlands visa processing time 2025 into 2 steps:

Step 1

The decision taken by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) is final. This decision period can be extended due to various factors. For example, you have not completed your visa application form. However, the average time taken for approval is 60 days. When your visa application process is extended due to an incomplete application form, your university will be notified

Particulars	Processing Time
Decision period (Time taken to get the IND approval)	60 days.

We refer to this decision period as the approval phase because IND provides a yes or no response. If it is a yes, it means your application is approved for a residence permit, and now you can get a visa.

Step 2 

Once an IND approval is received, the MVV application becomes smoother. You will technically get the visa if you follow the next steps. The Netherlands Student visa processing time 2025 is the time taken to complete the next steps.

1. Make an appointment within 3 months– You will have to make a visa appointment at a Dutch representation (through VFS Global)
2. Show up on the date of your visa appointment- You need a valid passport, a photo, and bring relevant documents.  You will have to provide your documents here for submission/verification.
3. Biometric information– Provide your biometric information. You will put a signature, and the Dutch representation will take fingerprints.
4. Passport– They will ensure that your passport is valid for another 6 months.
5. Pay visa fees- You will have to pay the required fee at the VFS office 
6. MVV is issued– Your visa is issued, and it will be valid for the next 90 days.  During this time, you can travel to the Netherlands.

Factors Affecting the Netherlands Student Visa Processing Time 

As you know, the IND decision takes 60 days. However, there are plenty of reasons why your visa application can be delayed or rejected. You need to know the reasons to avoid the same. The factors that can affect your Netherlands Student visa processing time 2025 are as follows:

1. An incomplete visa application form– Fill out your visa application form, or your university will be notified, and you will be required to fill out the form again.
2. Lack of sufficient documents- In visa applications, missing even 1 document means rejection. Therefore, you must ensure that you have met all the requirements and have sufficient documents.
3. Invalid passport- For any visa application, having a valid passport is mandatory. Otherwise, your visa cannot be approved
4. Time of application- Summer months are considered to be among the busiest. Therefore, apply early to avoid delays.
5. IND workload– If the number of visa applications is high, more time may be taken for visa processing.
6. Application Complexity– Finally, based on your circumstances, your visa application may be delayed or even rejected. For example, if you have faced any previous visa refusals.

Also Read: 9 Common Reasons for a Student Visa Rejection

How Much Bank Balance is required for a Netherlands Student Visa?

Netherlands Student visa processing time 2025 is also affected by your financial situation. In any case, if you do not have the finances to support yourself, your application will be. This is not just true for the Netherlands but for any visa application anywhere in the world. As an international student, you must have the necessary funds to support yourself. They are:

Study Norm 

Study Norm is the mandatory amount you need to have as an international student. It is the amount of money Dutch students receive while they are living in a dorm. The amount does not include school or college fees.

Type of Education	Monthly Support Amount
University or Higher Professional Education (HBO)	EUR 1,094.12
Secondary or Senior Secondary Vocational Education (MBO)	EUR 898.48

Income Required Every Year

The university will ask you to prove that you have sufficient income. This is mandatory for visa sponsorship. Every year, you are required to have your income. 

S.No	Particulars	Amount Required
1	Living cost	A sufficient amount to cover living expenses in the Netherlands for a year
2	Tuition fees	The exact tuition fees for a year

What is the Student Visa Fee for the Netherlands?

The last step before the Netherlands student visa processing takes place is paying the visa fees. You will have to pay the required fees to VFS Global (official partner for Netherlands student visa processing). Once fees are paid, the Netherlands Student visa processing time 2025 starts.

Application Type	Fee Amount
Initial Application or Change of Purpose	EUR 243.00
Renewal of Residence Permit	EUR 243.00

Note- Visa fees are subject to change. Contact VFS Global to know the current visa fees. An additional nominal fee may have to be paid to the Visa facilitation agency. 

Netherlands Student Visa Requirements

The general requirements to get a Netherlands student visa are provided below. To get IND approval, you must meet the following requirements. You need to submit the following information to your university as well.

S/No	Netherlands Student Visa Requirements	Details
1	Meet income requirements	Cost of living, student norms, and tuition fees
2	University information	The university you are applying to must be able to sponsor your visa (a recognized sponsor by the IND)
3	Programme accreditation	Your program must be accredited
4	Regisration	You must be registered at a university
5	Full-time student	You must be a full-time student
6	Agreement	You will make progress every year. Obtain at least 50% of the credits for each study year.
7	General requirements	There are general requirements that you must meet. For example, filling up the application form and proving you have no criminal record.

Also Read: How can a student get PR in the Netherlands?

What is the Success Rate of Student Visas in the Netherlands?

Those who meet the visa requirements can easily get the Netherlands student visa. The Netherlands student visa success rate is 90-99%. This means that the visa application is straightforward when you meet all the visa requirements 

As an international student, if you meet the requirements for a student visa, the university will sponsor your application. Moreover, ensure that you have the correct documentation, you complete the visa application form, and that your passport is valid. In this case, most likely you will get the visa.

To understand why you should study in the Netherlands, watch this video:

Credit: @FlyingEuro

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We hope you now know all about the Netherlands student visa processing time. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or visit our visa page for more such articles. You can also connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!